advice on how to work efficiently and organized?

pagandeva2000, LPN · Aug 12, 2007

Not sure, because I do not work LTC. But, watch what the other nurses do and see if you can incorporate some of their techniques to use in your own time management. I did that in my clinic and things did improve. Maybe have a blank sheet with pertinent facts to be noted on each patient; a brief summary, so that you will get right to documenting these facts. Also, look at their notes to see what they are documenting. Maybe some of what is written can be narrowed down to just what is necessary. Not sure if this would work for you, but try and see how it does. Good luck to you!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Aug 13, 2007

I work on a subacute unit, and my workplace only gives nurses a 3-day orientation before they are cut loose to work on their own. Not surprisingly, the employee turnover rate is rather atrocious at the facility where I work.

Anyway, here is how I organize for the day. I work 16 hour shifts, from 6am to 10pm. At the beginning of the shift, I'll go through the MARs and TARs with a fine tooth comb and, as I go, I will jot down the things that must be done in my notebook. My notebook is how I organize the rest of the day, and I usually won't forget to do anything. Here is how yesterday's notebook page looked (names have been changed due to HIPAA):

8-12-2007

DIABETICS, FINGERSTICKS: Agnes (BID), Agatha (AC & HS), Bill (AC & HS), Wendy (AC & HS), Rex (BID), Jack (BID), Esther (AC & HS), Margie (0600, 1200, 1800, 2400)

NEBULIZERS: Margie, Esther, Bill, Jack, Jane

WOUND TREATMENTS: Jane, Bill, John, Jack, Lillian, Rose, Lucille

IV THERAPY: Wendy (Vancomycin), Laura (Flagyl), Rex (ProcAlamine)

COUMADINS: Agnes, Agatha, John, Lucille

INJECTIONS: Agnes (lovenox), Jane (arixtra), Rex (heparin), Bill (70/30 insulin), Esther (lantus), Mary (vitamin B12 shot)

ANTIBIOTICS: Wendy (wound), Laura (C-diff), Rex (pneumonia), Agatha (MRSA)

1200, 1300, 1400 meds: Margie, June, Rose, John, Jane, Jack

1600, 1700, 1800 meds: Rose, John, Rex, Lucille, Lillian, Laura

REMINDERS: assessments due on Agatha, Jill, and Louise; restock the cart; fill all holes in the MAR; follow up on Jane's recent fall, fax all labs to Dr. Smith before I leave, order a CBC on Rex...

Lovely_RN, MSN · Aug 13, 2007

I expect to get my LPN in January and since I will likely be working in LTC this is important need to know stuff for me.

Anyone else with tips please post.

mcg1929 · Aug 14, 2007

you are soooo great!!!!! thanks a million!!!! im going to try that one out and hopefully it will help me,,,,just one question,,,i know LPN's dont do Iv's but in our place they let us do it....i just dont get it at all! and im not iv certified!.....strange,,,**do u do admissions too?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Aug 14, 2007

you are soooo great!!!!! thanks a million!!!! im going to try that one out and hopefully it will help me,,,,just one question,,,i know LPN's dont do Iv's but in our place they let us do it....i just dont get it at all! and im not iv certified!.....strange,,,**do u do admissions too?

LPNs/LVNs are allowed to do IV therapy in my state of residence, which is Texas, as long as they have completed an IV certification course. The only aspects of IV therapy in which I am not qualified are blood products and central lines; however, I am permitted to flush central lines. I just cannot give meds through central lines.

I do my own admissions; therefore, I am in deep trouble if I get slammed with 3 or 4 new admits in one shift! Our facility does not have admission nurses or unit secretaries, so the floor nurses must complete their own admissions. And, the new admits roll in 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.